Newbie needs help with tow ability

[Heeler_Mom]

I am hoping to get your advice and help. We have recently upgraded to a 2018 sunset trail 291RK that is 33.33 feet long and weighs 5600 lbs dry weight. We are trading in a 2006 Ford F 150 that we were concerned about the ability to tow our trailor. We are upgrading to a 2013 Ford F150 STX Supercab 4x2 with a 5.0L V8.

Ax 3.31,WB 133, GVWR 7150, GAWR 3600, Rear GAWR 3850,
Looks like I can tow 8500? Is that the way it reads? We purchased the Blue Ox. We pick up Wed and i just want to make the right choice. I cant really spend the xtra 20k for a 250 model of truck...help!! advice or feedback please!

I know all the specs can anyone help me walk through this?

[mkirsch]

You also need to look beyond the two little fly-by-night dealerships in your little town for trucks. Don't be afraid to drive a few hours.

[drsteve]

The 3.31 gear sounds bad until you realize it's got a six speed transmission. It'll work fine.

[Groover]

MFL wrote:

camp-n-family wrote:
3.31 axle gearing is a poor choice for towing. It will not be fun.

I agree, not the right gear choice for towing. The 13 truck with 5.0, would be a good improvement with 3.73 gears, due to more hp, and much better 6-speed transmission.

Jerry

The difference between 3.73 gears and 3.31 is only 12%. Just lock out high gear and you will effectively 3.73 gears with a five speed transmission. It wasn't that many years ago we towed with a 3 speed transmission and 3.27 gears. Also, 3.73 gears are nearly impossible to find and Max Tow package gives you 3.55 gears which are sufficient for maximum towing towing capacity. Difference between 3.55 and 3.13 is only 13%. I doubt that most people would notice that. I have to wonder if the tow rating for 3.13 is reduced for reasons that the driver won't notice, such as strength of the rear end. Regardless, if you are within factory ratings I would not worry about. If you are getting beyond factory ratings you should be thinking about it. Ford does recommend using synthetic oil in the differential if you tow frequently near rated capacity. A heat dissipating cover might help too.

[ib516]

this may help

[theoldwizard1]

The 2013 F150 Tow Guide says 8100 for standard wheelbase and 7900 for long wheel base.

My interpretation of that chart is that you do not have the Heavy Duty Trailer Towing Package which included a HD radiator, auxiliary transmission cooler, 7 pin trailer connector in the rear and wiring for an electric brake controller under the dash, plus a higher rear axle ratio (3.73).

I would highly recommend that you upgrade all these !

[Grit_dog]

To the OP, a similar equipped gas 3/4 ton does not cost much more than a 1/2 ton, at all. Your 20k number is probably zoomed up diesel vs base half ton.

Yes 3.31 is not the best towing gears, but depends on your use and duty cycle. Low alt and no mountains is 100% differnet than towing at 10kft thru CO.

[Grit_dog]

donn0128 wrote:
Very likely the old vs newer truck are going to have nearly identical specs, so why swap? I just dont see it. The really long trailer coupled with the really soft suspension and tires is not going to make for a very happy towing experience.
Dry or shipping weights are really useless. What ia the trailers GVWR?

They don't have the same specs, not even close. The 6 speed and Fox motor will run an old 5.4/4speed into the dirt. Chassis is similar though, it's nicer and a bit more capable.

[Lwiddis]

Twenty k more for a 250? Not accurate.

[MFL]

camp-n-family wrote:
3.31 axle gearing is a poor choice for towing. It will not be fun.

I agree, not the right gear choice for towing. The 13 truck with 5.0, would be a good improvement with 3.73 gears, due to more hp, and much better 6-speed transmission. If you cant find a 250/2500, in your area, at a price you can afford, at least look for a 1/2 ton with better towing ability. The 150 with max tow would be a better choice, having lower gear ratio, higher GVWR, and higher RAWR.

Jerry

[APT]

Going from a 2006 vintage half ton to a 2013 vintage will be significantly better with respect to power and acceleration. Payload and handling will be very similar, so if you are comfortable now with handling you should still be with the proposed 2013. The 6-spd trans will make much better use of the V8 engine's power. 3.31 axle with 6-spd trans is much better than your current truck even if it had 4.56 axle ratio.

[donn0128]

Diesels will ALWAYS be better pulling. But you do NOT need a diesel. Decent 2500 series gas motor trucks are a dime a dozen. Few go looking for gas trucks, so your choices should be plentiful. Your just throwing your money away upgrading from one 150 to one a couple years newer. Heck you have a known quanitiy and your spending money for a nearly identical unknown quanitiy. Just makes no sense to me.

[camp-n-family]

3.31 axle gearing is a poor choice for towing. It will not be fun.

[evanrem]

Max tow on a truck is misleading when it comes to towing a TT. You will run out of payload before you even hit that number. Everything is stated is pretty much spot on. The stability from a 1500 to a 2500 when towing a larger rig is hands down better.

[Heeler_Mom]

The GVWR for the trailor is 7,600. Unit dry is 5686 and the cargo we will carry will be my hubby, dog, 35 to 40 lbs each and everything we carried in our popup. Really not more than 1000 lbs ever. And the 2013 upgrade truck is 14,900 sale and we cant find a 2500 anywhere less than 25k and that was a 2010 with almost 200,000 miles. So a gas vs a diesel, the D is not better when pulling?